Space Mining

Daniel Faber, a Pioneer of Space Technologies and Mining, and currently President and CEO of Heliocentric Technologies and Advisor to National Space Society in United States, participates in Risk Roundup to discuss Space Mining. Overview Democratization of Space is on its way. Terrestrial planets, gas giants, Trojan asteroids, and a range of other bodies orbiting the Sun are now beginning to be explored for precious metals by pioneers. This will not only help us understand how the Sun and its family of planets formed; but also help us prepare for what the future may hold for humans. Precious metals have influenced the course of recorded human history, and today and coming tomorrow will likely not be any different. Nations today feel that there are not enough precious metal resources on earth to meet everyone’s need and that we need to look to space to meet our existing and emerging needs on earth. Moreover, the dooming belief that everything we hold of value on earth is in finite amounts is now being questioned; as metals, minerals, energy sources and more are literally in near infinite quantities in our solar system. Understandably, human exploration horizon is now expanding to space, where the space mining seems to be more practical than professed. Today, there are visible signs emerging from across nations that mining asteroids for precious metals is becoming a realistic goal. However, the question remains whether we have the technology and means for space mining, whether space mining is a viable industry and whether nations are prepared for what is to come. It is important to evaluate further- * Where are we heading? * While space mining of the moon and nearby asteroids would allow for greater access to hydrogen, carbon, silicon, metals, and other materials that may be overmined on this planet, what else is being explored for mining in our solar system? * What are the immediate mining targets? What will be the criteria used to decide where to mine? * What is necessary if we are heading to make space mining a long-term project? * What technology will be used? * How will mining in space benefit nations both economically and scientifically? * Do we have enough understanding of asteroid environment? * What kind of equipment’s would be required for space mining? Will they be powered by fuels or will they be solar powered? * What are the risks? * Will space mining be largely carried out using robots or humans will be extensively involved on field? * Do we have promising lead on water in space? * What initiatives are currently under way by both public and private sector to meet the growing demands of resources on earth? * As space mining companies are gearing up for exploration, what implications will be there? * How are nations getting ready for space exploration? * How many nations are getting ready to explore their stake in space mining? * What are space mining ownership rights? * What is the future of space mining? While the space technology advances could end scarcity of essential minerals as we know it, the democratization of space-and asteroid mining will also likely bring complex conflicts and challenges. It is important to evaluate its security impact on cyberspace, geospace and space (CGS). Now is the time to talk about Space Mining Risks! For more please watch the Risk Roundup Webcast or hear Risk Roundup Podcast About the Guest Daniel Faber is the lead technologist and chief executive of a stealth Aerospace startup in Silicon Valley. He has leveraged his experience as an entrepreneur and engineer to draw together key emerging players in the field of in-space materials technology...